New postcodes on the way

A NEW national postcode system that will provide a unique seven character code to every letter-box will come into force in 2015.

The new codes were given the green light by Government last week and will provide a public database of unique identifiers for every individual household in the country.

The codes will include individual apartments and offices in large developments, as long as specific post-boxes are provided.

The Postcode will be in the format A65 B2CD, with the first three characters relating to a general area or postal district in which the address is located.

In Dublin, existing postal districts will appear as the first three characters of the new postcode, meaning Dublin 11 addresses will begin D11 with the following four characters detailing exactly where the individual unit is.

Dublin North West TD, John Lyons (Lab), said the new system will make it easier for post, parcels and other services to reach local households.

“The new postcode system, championed by my colleague Minister for Communication, Pat Rabbitte, is the most advanced of its kind in Europe and the first in the world to use unique identifier codes,

? he said.

“From now on, a household’s unique code is all that needs to be given to a pizza delivery man, to an online store and importantly to an ambulance dispatcher. This removes any potential for any ambiguity or confusion that might arise.

“The new system will be up and running in spring 2015 and I am confident that it will be of benefit to people in Dublin North West.

?

Business representative body, Ibec, also welcomed the introduction of the new system, which it said has the potential to reduce business costs.

“Ibec has long pushed for the introduction of postcodes,

? said Ibec Enterprise Executive, Aidan Sweeney.

“Having such a unique identifier can reduce costs for businesses through supply-chain and administrative savings. The postcode will benefit not only retailers but also consumers through enabling better use of online services and home delivery.

?

Dublin Bay North TD Sean Kenny (Lab) said he was confident that the new system would assist in the provision of public and public sector services in the local area.

Minister Rabbitte said he was very pleased to announce that Ireland will at last have a publicly owned national postcode system.

“Most countries have had the benefit of such systems since the mid 1900s,

? he stated.

“In making the move now we have been able to use the technology and systems available today to move to a next generation system.

“The Irish code will be the first in the world to be unique to each individual address.

?

But not everyone welcomed the announcement. Daryl Barron, a Fianna Fáil area representative for the Donaghmede ward, has called on the Government to abandon its plans for the new system, claiming it was a

“waste of taxpayers’ money

?.

“This money could be easily allocated to areas that have been cut in recent budgets, which could help restore services to respite care, mobility allowance or 24,000 discretionary medical cards lost last year,

? he said.